Vern Smathers

1944 - 2015

Vern Robert Smathers, beloved husband of Phyllis Smathers, passed away in Lethbridge on Monday, October 12, 2015 at the age of 71 years.

A private committal service was held prior to the funeral service at the Taber Memorial Garden.

The Funeral Service was held at Knox United Church, 4929 - 50 Avenue, Taber on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at 2:00 P.M.

Besides Phyllis, his wife of fifty three years, Vern is survived by their three children Kelly (Paul) Elser of Lethbridge, Darrin (Yvonne) Smathers of Taber and Joy (Terry) Smathers-Stasiuk of Calgary; grandchildren Ryley and Alexa Elser, Alana (Andrew) Corial, Larissa (Edge) Smathers-Halliday, Jessica (Martin) Hepp, Tarin (Will) Denny, Mackayla Gilmour and Kaelynn and Logan Stasiuk; great grandchildren Carmin Corial, Savannah and Liam Halliday and Seth Denny. He is also survived by his brother Darrel (Marlene) Smathers; sisters Brenda (Verne) Schneider and Debbie (Harvey) Bechtold; brothers-in-law Roy (Janice) Funk and Calvin (Linda) Biem; sister-in-law LaVane Cowie and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents Harvey and Hazel Smathers, sister Veryl Funk, brother Brian Smathers and father and mother-in-law Lorrene and Joy Biem.

Vern especially enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He will be deeply missed by all.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Vern’s name may be made directly to St. Michael's Health Centre, Palliative Care Unit, 1400 - 9 Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 4V5, to the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation (Intensive Care Unit), 960 - 19 Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 1W5 or to the Taber and District Health Foundation, 4326- 50 Avenue, Taber, Alberta T1G 1N9.